Virtual Magazine of Morocco on the Web
Morocco Week in Review 
January 7, 2006

Morocco-US: FTA comes into effect.
FTA to promote trade exchanges and investment in Morocco, trade advisor.
Over a hundred dialysis centers serve some 5,000 patients, minister.
Women rights: UNIFEM satisfied with budget attributed to gender equality.
Morocco determined to enhance human potential.
US ambassador invites Moroccan businessmen to explore American market. 
How Green Was My City.
Young Moroccan makes world's biggest crossword grid.
Morocco establishes academy for young scientists.
Morocco produces annually 55,000 tons of Couscous.
About USD 277mn earmarked to implement INDH projects in 2006 and 2007.
Divorce rate in Morocco decreased 40%, official.
Morocco to draw up bill to ban child domestic labor.

Morocco-US: FTA comes into effect.

The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Morocco signed with the United States came into effect on January 1. It is part of Morocco's efforts to open up the country's economy and integrate it in the international market. The FTA, signed on June 15, 2004 after seven rounds of bilateral negotiations that lasted 13 months, is the crowning of a succession of bilateral economic agreements between Rabat and Washington, such as Non-Double Taxation Agreement (1977), Bilateral Investment Treaty (1985), and Trade and Investment Framework (1995).

On Dec. 22, the White House declared that US President George W. Bush signed an order to implement the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on January 1. The White House said "Morocco is a close friend and ally of the United States, and this (free trade agreement) sends a powerful signal that the United States is firmly committed to supporting tolerant and open Muslim societies." After the signing, US Trade representative Robert Zoellick said that this agreement sets up a legal framework to make Morocco a more attractive destination for economic operators from the US and other countries.

Under terms of the pact, tariffs on 95% of all bilateral trade between Morocco and the US will be eliminated. The remaining tariffs on these goods, mainly agricultural products from both countries, will be cancelled within the next nine years. The agreement also includes stringent measures to protect intellectual property and the environment.

In an interview with the Moroccan daily 'l'Economiste', Salah Eddine Mezouar, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Economy Upgrading, said that the free trade agreement concluded between Rabat and Washington is a win-win deal, but for which Morocco should be well equipped. "The American market is an open market where we should find a place ... but we are not really ready," he underlined.

The minister stressed Morocco's strategic geographical position which, he believed, should be highly valued and promoted, in the perspective of a globalised economy. In this respect, Mezouar underlined that Morocco has a clear vision as to the sectors to be developed. "This vision manifests itself in the projects launched currently in the country, be they in industry, housing or tourism," he said, admitting that adaptation to the American market is a necessity. The minister underlined that, for this very reason, a number of Moroccan officials and professionals had paid a visit to the United States to identify the potentials that this market offers and establish contact with American firms and potential clients.
http://www.moroccotimes.com/paper/article.asp?idr=5&id=11898 
------------------------------------------------

FTA to promote trade exchanges and investment in Morocco, trade advisor.
Washington, Jan. 6 

Increasing trade exchanges and promoting US investments in Morocco are the main objectives of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed between Morocco and the USA, affirmed trade Advisor at Moroccan embassy in Washington, Mourad El Ayachi. Entering into force on January 1, the agreement opens "great and real perspectives to promote export of Moroccan industrial, agricultural and fisheries products to the USA", he stressed in an interview with the international radio "Voice of America".

Trade exchanges between Morocco and the USA represent only 0.5% of the US exchanges with the rest of the world, he said, underlining that FTA will open the US market before Moroccan companies and increase the volume of US investments in Morocco and promote employment. USA's annual exports to Morocco reach USD 475 million in products including aircraft, cereals and machinery, he noted. The agreement, he said, will contribute to reinforce the presence of US companies in Morocco, whose number is estimated at 120 companies with an investment of over USD 600 million. El Ayachi pointed out that FTA is expected to eliminate tariffs on 95% of bilateral trade in consumer and industrial products, with all remaining tariffs to be eliminated within nine years.

He also noted that FTA is part of the Bush administration strategy to establish a free-trade area in the Middle East and North Africa region, recalling that Morocco has already concluded a free trade agreement with Turkey and established a free-trade zone with Tunisia, Jordan and Egypt by virtue of Agadir Agreement.
http://www.map.ma/eng/sections/box1/fta_to_promote_trade/view 
------------------------------------------------

Over a hundred dialysis centers serve some 5,000 patients, minister.
Rabat, Jan. 4 

Morocco has 114 dialysis centers fitted with 1,351 machines that benefit 4,850 patients, said, here Tuesday, Morocco's Health Minister, Mohamed Biadillah. Biadillah, who was speaking at a question time at the House of Advisors, pointed out that the State has concluded several agreements to rent or purchase over 250 machines for an annual cost of MAD 42Mn (USD 4.6Mn) during five years.
29 centers have been opened in a number of distant areas to shoulder the action of the civil society and the private sector, said the minister. He went on to say that some 131 specialized physicians and a thousand nurses work in this field, stressing the need for setting up of a strategy of prevention, caring for patients suffering from renal failure, and kidney transplant.
http://www.map.ma/eng/sections/imp_social/over_a_hundred_dialy/view 
---------------------------------------------------

Women rights: UNIFEM satisfied with budget attributed to gender equality.

The United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) has expressed satisfaction over the attribution of a national budget for gender equity priorities in Morocco by the Ministry of Finance and Privatisation. The attribution of the budget "indicates the Moroccan government's commitment to gender responsive expenditures that ensure the achievement of specific targets and goals within sectors such as girls' school enrolment or illiteracy eradication," the UNIFEM said in a release. The measure, taken for the first time, is the result of close collaboration between the UNIFEM and the Ministry over the past four years.

Thanks to these combined efforts, the Ministry issued a gender budget statement, also known as the gender budget report, along with the 2006 Finance Bill. "The gender report, as part of the Economic and Financial Report which accompanies the 2006 Finance Bill, addresses sustainable human development concerns where the status of women and their human rights are central and strategic for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals," said Mohammed Chafiki, Director of Studies of Financial Forecast at the Moroccan Ministry of Finance and Privatisation.

"The report summarises the implications of the national or local budget on gender equity, and specifies targets and planned outputs vis-à-vis gender equality goals," added the release. The gender report stressed the role of the ministries of finance, education, health, agriculture, and rural development in answering women's needs and specifying the means to address gender gaps through their budget allocation programmes. The government of Belgium and the European Commission extended funding support to the UNIFEM's efforts, which made possible the setting up of the "Moroccan gender-responsive budgets initiative".

The Fund also expressed hope that the gender budget will be annually attributed in Morocco, as is the case in India and France. The UNIFEM was set up in 1976 to support women's empowerment and gender equality through its programme offices and through cooperation with women's organisations around the world.
http://www.moroccotimes.com/Paper/article.asp?idr=2&id=11930 
------------------------------------------------

Morocco determined to enhance human potential.

Since its independence, Morocco has adopted a long process to enhance its human potential and has worked to establish a modern economy capable of guaranteeing the country's development, noted a report on Morocco's human development during the last 50 years and on prospects for 2025. The report, drawn up under the instructions of King Mohammed VI, noted that this process which was adopted under different names - "human resources development," "social policies" and social development" -aimed at promoting and consolidating domestic capacities and improving living standards.

Concerning the enhancement of human potential, which is among the first development indicators, the results of the last 50 years are not optimal, pointed out the report, made by a committee under the chairmanship of the King's advisor, Abdelaziz Meziane Belfkih. Even though important efforts have been made in terms of electrification, drinkable water supply, and opening up remote areas, these initiatives and services have not yet been generalized, said the report. It noted that "it is only in the last ten years that key programmes have been launched to tackle these disparities with satisfying results, particularly in rural and suburban areas."

The document underlined that in the post independence, the State has exerted significant efforts in the field of education, recalling that until the late 70s, the national education system has fulfilled its mission in general. Despite important deficits encountered at the beginning and despite the demographic growth, the State managed to expand Moroccans' access to education and provide the administration and the national economy with necessary executives and managers. In addition, the educational system has become a platform for social mobility, openness and access to modernity.

However, since the early 80s, the educational system has witnessed a long crisis despite a series of reforms, sometimes improvised and often incomplete. It has become a low profitable machine, generating degrees that are not in harmony with the changes and needs of the modern economy and society, deplored the report. This system has resulted in performances that are deteriorating even more in areas that are far from urban agglomerations, added the report.

Underlining that important efforts have been made in managers' training and vocational training, the document noted that higher education has strongly contributed in the two decades following independence to providing the necessary managers for the structures of a modern State.

In the fields of health, social protection and fighting poverty, the report pointed out that Moroccans' health level has significantly improved since independence, underlining the end of diseases and epidemics that ravaged the country. Life expectancy has significantly increased and currently exceeds 70 years, though under that of developed countries.

The document deplored that some indicators of infant and maternal health are still alarming, hampering the level of the country's human development. Morocco has not managed to definitely tackle the problems related to the "diseases of poor countries" while it has to face an increase of "diseases of rich countries" that are more difficult and more expensive to deal with.

Access to medical care remains incomplete and unequal; meanwhile, the state of care units and public hospitals stagnates or deteriorates despite the isolated attempts of some doctors or Moroccan researchers, said the report.
It also pointed out that the lack of financial means represented an obstacle, stating that a new financial and management strategy in the public health sector is crucial to prevent a further deterioration.

On social protection, several reforms have been made to expand medical coverage of impoverished persons and diversify services. The report indicates that the level of social protection remains insufficient and creates serious problems of viability.

If breakthroughs have been made in the quality of human resources in terms of health administration, there is still a huge gap between projects of reform and their implementation, said the report.

Several problems directly linked to governance still exist, notably with regard to the lack of a strategic action framework and a global vision for the health system, the excessive centralism of health administration, the weak development of local services and the crisis of public hospitals. According to the report, the level of human development in Morocco is still affected by the persistence of poverty. Because of demographic growth, it said, the absolute number of poor people has remained around 5 millions in average, including three quarters in rural areas.

After it recalled the national economy evolution since independence, the document noted that except some forms of public generosity and State assistance, such as support to basic alimentary products, the systematic fight of poverty is a recent concern in public policies. It noted that these policies remain insufficient and do not rely on the principle of reinforcing the capacities of individuals so that they take themselves in charge in the long run.

After independence, said the report, Morocco has worked to establish a modern economy by putting the necessary bases such as the issuing of a national currency, the creation of regularization bodies and fiscal, monetary and budget policies tools, control of inflation, the development of a national financing system, the setting up of small and middle-sized enterprises and a network of private groups serving as a locomotive in certain economic branches.

The report also pointed out to significant strides such as the increase of populations' living standards in terms of revenues, purchase power, consumption and saving. The document noted that the Moroccan economy growth has been stagnant since 1955 and that the rise of revenues per capita was weak.

The same source ascribes this weak performance to a series of factors related to the macro-economic environment, the agricultural and private sectors, difficult access to loans, the high interest rates, real estate complications, administrative obstacles and judicial uncertainty.

As to the national economy competitiveness, it has remained under aspirations especially because of the weakness of productivity and the feeble contribution of qualified manpower among the global manpower. The report said the domestic market is scanty due to smuggling, the feeble domestic consumption and the development of an informal economy on which currently depends a large part of the urban population.

Evoking the measures adopted to speed up growth and development in Morocco, the document referred to a train of actions and legislative, financial, administrative, social and educational reforms. This is the way to attract foreign investments, multiply the creation of enterprises and create activities with a higher added value, said the report.
http://www.moroccotimes.com/Paper/article.asp?idr=2&id=11960 
---------------------------------------------------

US ambassador invites Moroccan businessmen to explore American market. 
05 January 2006 

US ambassador to Morocco Thomas Riley has invited Moroccan businessmen to start participating in international exhibitions and building relations with American companies, for them to benefit from the opportunities offered by the US-Morocco Free Trade Agreement (FTA). In an interview with the specialised Moroccan daily L'Economiste, the ambassador declared that the embassy has set up plans to help businessmen in this regard.

But when asked which Moroccan sectors would attract American investment, Riley noted that gaining contracts is not "automatic". "Efforts should be made for example by participating in exhibitions and building relationships," the ambassador said. "It is not a matter of sector but rather a matter of products when we talk about exportation to the United States," the diplomat added, noting that olive oil exports towards the US are already flourishing, and that there are promising opportunities for artisanal products and argan oil.

Riley also stressed that high-quality products will have better chances in the US market. The diplomat declared that the US Agency for International Development (USAID) has set up a programme to help Small and Medium Enterprises export to the US. He said that the programme offers a free consultation service. Through this service, some businesses have already started selling their products, such as artisanal boxes and jewellery.

Concerning agriculture, Riley underlined that the cost of wheat production in Morocco is still very high, hailing the efforts exerted by the regional offices for agricultural development (ORMVA) to support farmers. Asked about phytosanitary barriers, the ambassador said that "the US consumers' health is a decisive issue." "We have very strict regulations concerning the importation of food. This can also be seen as a means to protect the market," he explained. Riley also stressed the economic gains Morocco will draw from the FTA, noting that the country's development rate can rise to 5 or 6%, instead of 3 to 4%.

The FTA Morocco signed with the United States on June 15, 2004 came into effect on January 1.

Riley took up his post as the US ambassador to Rabat on Jan. 12, 2004.
http://www.zawya.com/Story.cfm/sidZAWYA20060106063730/secCountries/pagMorocco/chnMorocco%20News/obj22403786-8F1A-11D4-867000D0B74A0D7C/ 
------------------------------------------------

How Green Was My City.
Abderrahim El Ouali CASABLANCA, Morocco, Dec 31 (IPS) 

If they have it their way, Casablanca will be green again. Because now this commercial hub of Morocco is a polluted city, and what were once its famous green parks, refuse dumps. The World Health Organisation thinks there must be at least 10 square metres of green space per inhabitant in a city. Casablanca has one square metre, if that.

It once had 165 hectares of parks, created during the days of the French protectorate. Like the 18-hectare Hermitage Park created from 1917 to 1927. Over recent years this has become the place for muggings and rapes, and home to drunkards and tramps.

The Arab League park as it is now called was designed by French architect Albert Laprade in 1919. Its famous date palms remain a distinguishing feature across its 28 hectares. But they stand now among weeds and bramble. The Murdoch park is a refuse dump. It is difficult to enter the park without being in a hurry to leave.

But finally the city is waking up to what it has done to its parks. The Arab League park has been adopted by the independent Mohamed VI Foundation For the Environment. The group is renovating the park under a 'Cities in Bloom' programme. This group has also undertaken revival of the Hermitage Park. The park should come back to life by the summer of 2006, members of the foundation say.

The re-greening of Casablanca is being supported by a twinning agreement with Chicago. An official of the Green Spaces Division of the Casablanca administration visited Chicago in September to promote park development programmes jointly. The city administration and supporting non-governmental organisations plan to plant a million trees in Casablanca over the next three years. More than 200,000 trees have already been planted.

But not every resident is satisfied with such measures. "There simply is no green space left in many parts of the city," a resident said. "We can never breathe fresh air. The damage done can never be repaired." The poorest districts of the city continue to get more and more polluted.

"My children will suffer most because of the damage caused to Casablanca's environment," says Abdellah Benjdi, 33. "People who are given the responsibility to protect the environment have no environmental sense."

Green spaces are being provided only in new housing areas, he said. But there too, they disappear soon after the houses are sold because they get built over.

Independent groups are limited in their reach due to lack of resources, and because "municipalities do not participate in the awareness process about environment and green space," Mustafa Laaraari, environmentalist and president of the Aljamour association for environment protection told IPS.

Planting a few million trees in Casablanca "would not be enough to solve the environmental problem of the city," he said. "We need awareness campaigns and workshops about the environment. What would be the use of trees if we do not protect them?"

Pollution is also threatening the Bouskoura forest near the city. Considered by ecologists the "green lung" of Casablanca, the forest is slowly being destroyed by polluting industries forced to move out of the Aïn Sebâa region inside Casablanca..

Plastic bags and beer cans are strewn around what is left of the forest.
Other forests too are threatened. Morocco has nine million hectares of natural forest with 4,700 plant species and more than 500 vertebrate species. Forests cover 13 percent of the land area.

The biggest threat are the polluting cities, and of these Casablanca is by far the largest. It releases about 480,000 cubic metres of wastewater everyday through 26 outlets, of which 18 open into the Atlantic ocean. The city releases 3,200 tonnes of household and industrial refuse per day.

Pollution within Casablanca affects four million residents, 12 percent of the population. And this population is suffering the consequences already.

"There are more and more respiratory infections, cases of repetitive bronchitis, serious asthma attacks, and ENT (ear, nose and throat) problems," Prof Mohamed Bougrine, a a specialist in paediatrics, told the daily newspaper L'Economiste. "In summer and winter, the peak period of pollution, we notice an exacerbation of asthma attacks. Health problems are increasing and often result in hospitalisation and even in death."

At root the fault lies with "the urban planning policy which has not kept pace with the demographic evolution as well as the growth of traffic," environmentalist Jamal Eddine Lazrag told IPS. (END/2005)
http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=31631 
---------------------------------------------------

Young Moroccan makes world's biggest crossword grid.
Rabat, Morocco, 01/05

A young Moroccan crossword compiler has just completed the world`s biggest crossword grid in Arabic (100,560 words) beating the world record that had been retained by Robert Turcot from Quebec since 1982, Morocco news agency (MAP) reported in Rabat on Tuesday. The huge grid, designed by Larbi Ouazbir, who was born in Tiflet, east of here, contains 19,102 horizontal enigmas and 18,280 vertical ones, the Moroccan News Agency MAP reported. Its design took eight months of hard work (from March 2005 to October 2005) and some extensive research in various fields.

The Moroccan crossword compiler used the famous dictionary "Lissan Al- Arab" (Arab Language) by Ibn Mandour, as well as some European encyclopaedias and some French and Arab dictionaries to complete his grid. MAP reported that he should normally receive a reward for his efforts. Unfortunately he has not yet realised his dreams due to lack of material means to participate in international competitions so as to confront his peers.

Ouazbir particularly regretted that he failed to participate in the 2004 international competition in Germany where he could have demonstrated his know-how in the field. He had planned to participate in that event with a grid of 20,000 squares he had designed in 2003. Ouazbir explained that he did not travel to Germany for lack of an air ticket to take him to Frankfurt where the event took place. His 2.10 m long and 1.20 m wide grid covers Moroccan and world history, contains data on many countries including their capitals, names of statesmen, champions and national and international geographical sites.
http://www.angolapress-angop.ao/noticia-e.asp?ID=405304 
---------------------------------------------------

Morocco establishes academy for young scientists.
Rabat, Jan. 6 

An academy for young scientists was created, here Friday, to encourage and promote scientific research and reinforce communication between Moroccan scientists. Setting up this structure translates public authorities' determination to enhance scientific research as a strategic choice accompanying national and international evolutions, said, on this occasion, Minister of National Education and Scientific Research, Habib El Malki.

The academy, he said, will give a new impetus to scientific research in Morocco and contribute to promoting investments in the sector. The Minister called on the academy to raise awareness on the importance of converging knowledge with religious and cultural values to contribute to sustainable development and take up challenges of globalization and international mutations.
The Moroccan academy was created in implementation of recommendations of a meeting of the World Academy for Young Scientists, held in Marrakech in December. The meeting called for the creation of such structures and of national networks for young scientists.
http://www.map.ma/eng/sections/box4/morocco_establishes/view 
---------------------------------------------------

Morocco produces annually 55,000 tons of Couscous.
Rabat, Jan. 6

Morocco produces 55,000 tons of couscous and 45,000 tons of alimentary paste per year, revealed the National Agency to Promote small and medium enterprises (ANPME). In its latest bulletin, ANPME said the annual production capacity of the Moroccan companies (16 operational units employing 650 persons) is estimated at 170,000 tons. The average national consummation of Couscous is around 1.6kg/year/person and of alimentary paste is at 1.55kg/year/person. Moroccan annual exports of these products are estimated at 2,446 tons, while export/production ratio is around 1.5%.
http://www.map.ma/eng/sections/economy/morocco_produces_ann/view 
------------------------------------------------

About USD 277mn earmarked to implement INDH projects in 2006 and 2007.
Rabat, Jan. 5 

Some MAD 2.5Bn, or USD 277mn, in credits have been earmarked to implement projects in the 2006 part of the Moroccan National Initiative for Human Development (INDH), including MAD one billion as commitments to the initiative expenses in 2007. The loans, announced by Premier Driss Jettou at a meeting of the INDH enlarged commission here Thursday, are to be distributed according to a reference funding regarding territorial collectivities.

The action plan of the fist stage of the 2006-2010 INDH, worth MAD 10Bn, provides for an approach to identify target regions and to allot the loans earmarked to implement INDH projects. Jettou said population data in urban areas are to be taken into account to determine target towns and the choice of neighbourhoods in the latter will be made according to indicators of exclusion, unemployment and unhealthy housing.

The meeting also assessed the results obtained in the carrying out of the INDH priority program implemented since the launching of the initiative by King Mohammed VI last year. Jettou said some 1,104 projects, including 570 in rural areas, were incepted in 2005 part of the priority program that necessitated a total of MAD 600Mn. The Premier said the government earmarked MAD 250Mn for the implementation of the priority program, adding the good performance and results were used to work out the INDH 1st stage that is to be phased out between 2006 and 2010.
------------------------------------------------

Divorce rate in Morocco decreased 40%, official.
Rabat, Jan.5 

Moroccan Justice Minister, Mohamed Bouzoubaa noted, here Wednesday, that the rate of divorce in Morocco has dropped 40% due to the positive impact of the new Family Code adopted in February 2004. Bouzoubaa added that some 320 judges and 10 bailiffs received a training on the new code. In January 2004, the kingdom introduced important amendments on the family code that provide for the enhancement of women and child rights, and the consolidation of the family bonds. Last May, Bouzoubaa had revealed that the number of marriage contracts stood at 243.492, in the period from February 2004 and January 2005, thus achieving an increase of 2.76%.
http://www.map.ma/eng/sections/social/divorce_rate_in_moro/view 
---------------------------------------------------

Morocco to draw up bill to ban child domestic labor.
Rabat, Jan. 3 

Moroccan ministry of labor is working to draw up a bill to ban child domestic labor, announced here Tuesday, the Secretary of State in charge of Family, Childhood and Disabled persons, Yasmina Baddou. Speaking at the House of Advisors question time, she said the bill will include coercive measures vis-à-vis child domestics employers and intermediaries, as this phenomenon deprives children from their right to education and healthy growth.

Baddou added that her department is preparing a parallel program based on a series of sensitization and prevention measures, on involving schools and associations and on supporting poor families through income-generating projects and schooling-support programs notably in the areas from which emanate the young domestics. She pointed out that the latest "Human Rights Watch" report on child domestic workers in Morocco is a limited field-research that should not be generalized, underlining that child domestic labor has always been one of the priority concerns of Moroccan government, civil society and press.

Baddou affirmed that Morocco has launched several projects to fight this phenomenon notably through the national action for childhood (2005-2015), which is a comprehensive approach to better protect children and handle the phenomenon of girls working as domestics. According to a joint study carried out recently by the Moroccan Ministry of Employment and Vocational Training, the International Program on the Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC) and the World Bank, some 600,000 children work in Morocco. This represents 11% of the Kingdom's 5.5 million children.
http://www.map.ma/eng/sections/social/morocco_to_draw_up_b/view 
********************************************* 

These postings are provided without permission of the copyright owner for purposes of criticism, comment, scholarship, and research under the "Fair Use" provisions of U.S. Government copyright laws and it may not be distributed further without permission of the identified copyright owner.  The poster does not vouch for the accuracy of the content of the message, which is the sole responsibility of the copyright holder.